This is not really the usual "putz" houses but is an interesting example of Japanese designs. These tiny things are made of porcelain and about 1 1/2" long. These were imported by the George Borgfield Co. likely in the 1930's. Somehow that company name sounds familier but cannot remember the association.

Love how the door on the brick house is based on the most popular door shapes of the candy-box and putz houses!
On the box cover, they even show it painted in a traditional candy-box/putz house color scheme, more or less.

Really nice....Where did you get these little gems?

Off of Ebay (of course!)

Tom, Do you think these are related to the "compos"? Before or after?

Found this info on the George Borgfeldt Corporation at Rodney's Dimestore Gallery.

http://www.rodneysdimestoregallery.com/ ... orporation

These novelty little buildings sort of stand on their own. I don't think they are related to the compos which were intended as model RR pieces and are lightable. These may have been used to decorate a cake or something like that or more likely as miniature toys.